August 2009 Table of Contents

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FEATURES

Rocky Mountain
In the 1930s, two climbing guides pioneered a 43-mile loop through Colorado’s iconic park. Retrace their steps–past moose-filled meadows, across the Continental Divide, and up a secret route on Longs Peak–on this insiders’ weeklong adventure. PLUS: key skills, turn-by-turn directions, and a 3D map. By Dougald MacDonaldPlus, see the exclusive 3-D Google Flyover Video.

Raise Your Kid Here
A new twist on an old adage: You are where you live. And now more than ever, kids need to be surrounded by opportunities to hike, bike, and explore the outdoors. In this special report, we’ve identified the top 25 American towns with an optimal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources–all surefire cures for nature deficit disorder. By Jason Stevenson

Ultralight Handbook
Want to hike farther with less effort this summer? It’s easy–just cut your pack weight in half with our foolproof 33-tip plan for carrying less in all conditions. By Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Hundred-Dollar Hikers
Get instant comfort, slick-trail traction, and enough support for weekend loads for less than a Benjamin with these lightweight synthetics. Our field testers review 5 top models that scored big and cost little. By Berne Brody

Will Rescue for Treats
When hikers go missing in Yosemite, rangers call on a highly trained team–of dogs. Members of the park’s new K-9 rescue squad rappel from helicopters and search miles of dangerous backcountry terrain. Their pay? Kibbles and a scratch behind the ear. Meet Gus, Ranger, and the other four-footed heroes that just might save your life. By Kristin Bjornsen

Solitude Life List
Really ready to get away from it all? We found 30 wilderness adventures so blissfully quiet even a hermit would love them. From empty summits to secluded coasts, these are the backcountry retreats where solitude still reigns. Plus: tips for crowd avoidance and the best trails in America’s least-visited parks. By Dougald MacDonald

Q & A: Professor Rescue
Survival guru Robert Koester analyzes thousands of lost-hiker cases every year. What’s the point of all his number crunching? To help search-and-rescue teams locate–and save–you faster.

DESTINATIONS

TOP 3 PERFECT SUBSTITUTES
Want national park-caliber hiking all to yourself? Head to these hideaways in Utah, North Carolina, and California.

NATURAL WONDERS
Go where the bison roam, cool off in a New Mexico ice cave, or gorge on Oregon’s wild huckleberries.

#NPS100: Before you ask, it’s not a filter: it’s smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away bringing an early sunset to Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Practice fire safety this summer whether it’s in the backcountry or your backyard. #FindYourPark

#NPS100: National Parks are truly a treasure to us all. Theodore Roosevelt recognized this when he preserved millions of acres of land back in 1906. Subaru of America, Inc. invites you to explore a national park in honor of the National Park Service Centennial - for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the planet’s most spectacular places. Visit subaru.com/environment for more information. #FindYourPark